Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1887-05-28

In love. jess was the last person In tho world
to fall in love. Nor did she calculate what
the results might b. to John. As vet, at any
rate, she had no interest in Capt. Niel-of
course not.
And 50 things went on pleasantly enough
to oil concerned In this drama till one fine
day when the storm clouds began to gather.
John had been about the farm as usual till
dinner time, after which he took his gun and
told jamie to saddle up his shooting pony.
He was standing on the veranda, waiting for
the pony to appear, and by him was Bessie.
looking particularly attractive in q white
dress, when suddenly he caught sight Of
Frank Muller's great black horse, and that
gentleman himself upon it, cantering up the
avenue Of blue gums.
"Hullo, Miss Bessie" he said, "here comes
your friend"
"Bother!" said Bessie, stamping her foot,
and then, with a quick look, "Why do you
call him my friend"
II imagine that he considers himself 80, to
judge from the number of times a week he
comes to see you" he answered, with q shrug.
"At any rate, he isn't mine, so l am of
shooting. Good-by. I hope that you will
enjoy yourself"
"You are not kind, " she said, in a low voice,
and turning her back on him.
In another moment he was gone, and Frank
Muller had arrived.
allow do you do, Miss Bessie?" he said,
jumping from his horse with the rapidity Of a
MAJ who had been accustomed to rough
riding all his life. "Where is the '%rooibaatie'
off to"
Capt. Mel is going out shooting" she said,
coldly.
"Ah, SO much the better for you and me,
Miss Bessie! We can have a pleasant talk.
Where is hat black monkey, Jantjes Here,
Jantje, take my horse, you ugly devil, and
mind you look after him, or I'll cut tho liver
out of youl"
jamie took tho horse, with a forced grin of
appreciation at the joke, and led him of
round the house.
"Idon't think that jamie likes you, Mein-
beer Muller" said Bessie, spitefully, "and I
don't wonder at it if you talk to him like
that. He told me the other day that he had
known you for twenty years" and she looked
at him inquiringly.
This casual remarkp produced a remarkable
effect on the visitor, who turned color be-
meath his tanned skin.
"Iie lies, the black hound" he said, "and
I'll put a bullet through him If he rays it
again! What should I know about him or
he about me9 Can l keep count of every
miserable man monkey I meet" and he NUT
tered a string of Dutch oaths into his long
beard.
"Really, meinheer!" said Bessie.
"Why do you call me 'meinheerP" he
AcEnI tnvnpnSn~ CO Qouo10,x -. L.. A. y
started back a step. II tell you l am not a
Boer. am an Englishman. My mother was
English; and besides, thanks to Lord Carnar-
Won, We arc all English now"
II don't SEQ why you should mind being
thought q Boer," she said, coolly; "thcre are
some very good people among tho Doors, and,
besides, you used to be a great patriot"
"Used to be-yes; and so the trees used to
bend to the north when the wind blew That
way, but nov they bend to the south, for the
wind has turned. By and by it may set to
the north again-that is another matter
then VIC shall see."
Bessie made no answer, beyond pursuing up
her pretty mouth and slowly picking q leaf
from tho vine that trailed overhead.
The big Dutchman took of his hat and
stroked his beard perplexedly. Evidently no
was meditating something that he was afraid
to say. Twice he fixed his cold eyes on
Bessie's fair face, and twice looked down
again. The second time she took alarm.
sExcuse me one minute" she said, and
made as though to enter the house.
"Wacht cen beeche" wait q bit), he ejacu-
lated, breaking into Dutch In his agitation,
and even catching hold of her white dress
with his big hand.
She drew the dress from him with a quick
twist of her 1.-the form, and turned and faced
him.
Il beg your pardon" she said, in a tone
that could not BIO called encouraging; "you
were going to say something"
"Yes-ah, that isl was going to say"
and he paused.
Bessie stood with q polite look OF cxpecta.
ton on her face, and waited.
II was going to say-that, in short, that I
want to marry you"
"Oh!" said Bessie, with a start.
Listen, he went on, hoarsely, his words
gathering force as he proceeded, as Is the way
even with uncultured people when they speak
from tho heart. Listen! I love you, Bessie;
l have loved you for three years. Every
Don't say me nay-you don't know how I
wv VI yOu oNCAJ uAbut, Din
times l dream that I hear your dress rustling,
and then you come and kiss me, and It is like
being in heaven"
Here Bessie made q gesture of disgust.
There, l have offended you, but don't be
angry with Inc. l am very rich, Bessie;
there is the place here, and then l have four
farms in Lydenburg and 1000 morgen up in
Waterberg, and 1000 head of cattle, besides
sheep and horses and money in tho bank.
You shall have everything your own way"
he went on, seeing that the inventory Of his
goods did not appear to impress her-"every-
thing-the house shall be English fashion; 1
will build q new sit-kame Sitting room, and
it shall be furnished from Natal. There, I
love you, I say. You won't say no, will
your and he caught her by the hand.
II am very much obliged to you, Mr.. Null
ler," answered Bessie, s~natching away her
hand; "but-in short, / cannot marry you.
No, it Is no use, l cannot, indeed. There,
please say no more, here comes my uncle.
Forget all about 1t, Mr.. Muller"
Her sutton looked up; there was old Silas
Croft coming, sure enough, but he was some
way of and walking slowly.
"Do you mean itp he said beneath his
breath.
eyes, yes, of course 1 mean it. Why do
you force me to repeat It'll"
ut is that id rooibaatje," he broke out.
"You used not to be like this before. Curse
him, the white Ivered EDglishmanl l will
be even with him yet; and I tell you what 1t
is, Bessie; you shall marry me whether you
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